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The LaGrange football team went on the road to Lumpkin County for the opening round of the playoffs on Friday night, pounding the Indians into submission with a dominant 48-6 win.

The Grangers came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. LaGrange won the opening coin toss, elected to receive and marched right down the field on the opening possession to take a 7-0 lead after Malachi Fannin-Render found the end zone. The senior running back was just getting started and scored two more rushing touchdowns in just the first quarter of play. Fannin-Render got a short rushing touchdown to put the Grangers up 14-0 before rattling off a 50+ yarder late in the first quarter to give the away team a 21-0 advantage after the extra point.

LaGrange kept up the momentum in the second quarter. The Grangers did not throw their first pass until the second quarter as the run game was unstoppable. Starting quarterback Dylan Barber got in on the fun in the second quarter and put the Grangers up 28-0 early in the second quarter after an 82-yard touchdown run.

Barber did eventually get to throw the ball and connected with Kalvin Snowberger 67-yard touchdown pass on the first pass attempt in the game.

The Grangers had a chance to extend their lead before halftime, but a missed field goal at the buzzer kept the lead at 35-0.

The LaGrange defense was swarming all night and got some plush plays in the second and third quarter. Kayden Sutton got an interception and a long return late in the first half. Corn Brown recovered a fumble on the opening possession of the second half. Jay Mitchell would get an interception and return the ball to the six-yard line just minutes later. Barber would score on the ensuing drive to put the Grangers up 42-0.

With the lead secure, LaGrange emptied out the bench and got some of their younger reserves some playoff experience.

Lumpkin County finally broke through and got some points on the board with a touchdown late in the third quarter against the second and third string defense.

The Grangers second unit on offense kept up the scoring. Cason McGill found Luke Hewett for a touchdown with just three minutes to go in the game.

LaGrange has now won a playoff game in four of the first five seasons under head coach Matt Napier after not winning a playoff game since 2012 before he took over. The Grangers will travel to rematch region champions Sandy Creek next Friday for the second round of the state playoffs. The Grangers lost the first matchup between the two teams this season, 28-7.